A bird’s-eye view of the world of technology

Thursday 21 June 2012by deLight Interactive Solutions B.V.

Each year, cialis 30, decease 000 visitors to the Science Centre Delft are treated to an interactive introduction to the world of science and technology. At this university museum of the TU Delft, order anyone who is interested can try their hand via a variety of simulations which are based on research conducted at the TU Delft. With the aid of an interactive column, developed in cooperation with deLight Interactive Solutions, visitors can request information from one central location on many of the simulations on display at the museum.

Thanks to this Airocam (as we have named this solution), visitors can literally and figuratively get a bird’s-eye view of the world of science and technology

The real eye-catcher at the Science Centre Delft is the Nuna. This solar car was developed by TU Delft students, who won several editions of the World Solar Challenge with the vehicle. The World Solar Challenge is a race that traverses Australia from north to south in cars powered by solar energy. Just like the Nuna, all of the other trials are based on the knowledge developed at the TU Delft, and methods and technology used there.

Cooling off to – 200 C

Another simulation involves 19-meter long train tracks several centimeters wide. With the aid of 4500 magnets, and by cooling the conductors in the train down to a temperature of – 200 0C, visitors can make the train float over the track. Most of the simulations are accompanied by a screen which provides students and researchers with a detailed explanation about the simulation in the form of short videos. Visitors can also choose to watch a video providing background information on the topic.

Time for the visitors to try their hand

Based on the explanation in the video, museum visitors can often try out the activities in the exhibits. For example, they can even pretend they are test pilots in a flight simulator, or design their own airplane wing and figure out how high their design will take the plane in the great blue yonder.

Interactive column

Visitors to the main lobby can’t miss the interactive column, co-developed by deLight, thanks to its prominent location. Using a joystick, visitors can operate a capsule fitted with a camera that is located in a transparent tube mounted to the ceiling. This tube with its capsule bears some resemblance to what is known as a pneumatic dispatch system. By bringing the capsule to a standstill above a simulation, and aiming the camera at a marker applied to the top of the structure, the person operating the joystick can activate a video with information on the simulation in question.

Distinctive device for museums

“Thanks to this Airocam (as we have named this solution), visitors can literally and figuratively get a bird’s-eye view of the world of science and technology,” according to Frans van Duijnen, director of deLight. “That makes this tool a practical, innovative and unique device for museums and expositions, one that enables visitors to learn more about the exhibit in a very specific way.” Alexander Lokhorst of the Science Centre also feels the Airocam truly enriches the visitor’s experience at the university museum. “Visitors find it a fun way to explore the museum. Children in particular love to operate the joystick, maneuver the camera to one of the simulations and then aim it at the marker, after which all of the information they are looking for about the model is shown on the column’s display.”